FSU Football's DJ Uiagalelei Says Jordan Travis Helped Recruit Him To Tallahassee

Oregon State transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has had a long-tenured career at the college level before making his way to Florida State. Clemson recruited Uiagalelei as a 5-star prospect out of Inland Empire, California, and the No. 1 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2020. The class featured Houston Texans' CJ Stroud, Carolina Panthers' Bryce Young, and Indianapolis Colts' quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Uiagalelei is projected to be the FSU starter for the 2024 season as the 'Noles look to replace Heisman finalist quarterback Jordan Travis, who is pursuing a career in the NFL. The two have faced off on multiple occasions, but as an ambassador for FSU, Travis helped recruit Uiagalelei, although it seems the staff and program sold itself. 

"I talked to him before my official visit when I came here. I just asked him a couple of questions. The biggest thing was just how was the coaching staff here?" Uiagalelei said on the ACC Network Tuesday Morning. "I've been through the recruiting process a long time, and sometimes there is a little bit of fluff in recruiting, so I wanted to ask him, 'How is it here at Florida State?' He had nothing but amazing things to say. When that comes from your starting quarterback, and he has nothing but great things to say about the head coach, the quarterback coach, and then all the support staff, the strength staff, to the medical staff, to just the people in the building, it speaks volumes and once I heard that it just solidified everything I thought about Florida State."

The 6'4'' 245-pound signal-caller is no stranger to Tallahassee and the coaching staff at FSU. He won inside Doak Campbell Stadium 34-28 in 2022. The 'Noles are set to face Clemson again on Bobby Bowden Field on October 5, but Uiagalelei will be in garnet and gold this time around.

When asked how he views facing off against his old team in the classic ACC rivalry, Uiagalelei said he's focused on being a Seminole, and it appears he's waiting to cross that bridge when he gets to it.

"For me, man, I'm just super excited about coming here to Florida State and being able to be a Seminole. It's a rich tradition here being a Seminole. There have been so many players that played here and so many winning seasons that they've had. For me, it's just exciting," Uiagalelei continued. "It's exciting to be in Tallahassee with the wonderful fanbase that we have and the great teammates that I've had. I've just been focused on one day at a time. That time will come whenever that day comes, but I'm just focused on one day at a time." 

Uiagalelei will be entering his redshirt senior season and has amassed 9,451 yards of total offense courtesy of 8,319 yards and 57 touchdowns passing and 1,132 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing. Even with a stellar stat performance, growth seems to continue to be his focus as he sets himself up for the next level.

"I feel like I've matured a lot as a person, as a quarterback. I've gotten a lot older, and I feel like I've grown on the field and off the field," Uiagalelei continued. "I think when you talk about life and just the different experiences I've had playing the game of football, I've grown a lot."

Bridging the gap between Travis and underclassmen Brock Glenn, Luke Kromenhoek, and Trever Jackson will be a tall task for the FSU fanbase after their highlighted ACC Title run and 13-1 season in 2023. Uiagalelei has a chance to be an instant hometown hero as he leads the 'Noles to a potential playoff berth.